Panther Orientation

**LDB** · 02-28-2010, 10:47 PM

It's been quite some time so I don't remember a lot however you've had some good advice. Pay close attention and take good notes. Ask questions on things if you don't fully understand them. Have food in your truck just in case. Some of the people in orientation are not familiar with the take one and move along principle and if you are at the very end of the line there might not be anything left. That's not too common though but is a good idea to be prepared just in case. Finally, be prepared for warts. Every company has them and Panther is no exception. The key is finding one with warts you can tolerate.

**Moot** · 02-28-2010, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by LDB

Finally, be prepared for warts. Every company has them and Panther is no exception. The key is finding one with warts you can tolerate.

Try and avoid venereal warts. Common warts and plantar warts are the most tolerable and easiest to treat. Good luck!

While you are visiting Pantherville could you check on the rumor I started about Jeff St. Pierre buying Panther. Just wondering if it is true.

**Falligator** · 02-28-2010, 11:08 PM

Good Luck

! You'll need it. Word of advice. You can make money if you are willing to stay out for a bit. And don't dh home if you live in a bad freight area...that is a good location to get a load out of when or if you finish orientation unless you absolutely have the money. Panther is a decent company and will treat you right. Be nice to the dispatchers....(((they will remember you))).

**dancorn** · 03-02-2010, 12:24 AM

Sweetie and I did the orientation last year and here are my ideas.
#1 Sit near the front away from the repeat orientation takers, they will distract you.
#2 Be near the front of the food line or bring a snack.
#3 Realize that not all dispatchers graduated at the top of dispatch school but most are pretty good at what they do.
#4 When they install your used Qualcom unit, make sure all the buttons work without sticking.
#5 Try to have enough cash to only move money from your Comdata card to your debit card once or twice a month. Using the Comdata on a regular daily basis is costly and avoidable.
Good Luck

**Turtle** · 03-02-2010, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by dancorn

#5 Try to have enough cash to only move money from your Comdata card to your debit card once or twice a month. Using the Comdata on a regular daily basis is costly and avoidable.

Do keep in mind the significant Comdata card discounts to be had at the TA when buying fuel, however. Each Comdata card transaction will cost you $2.00, but with anywhere from 20-50 cent per gallon discounts on TA fuel, you can save $20 to $50 per 100 gallon tank using the Comdata card versus a debit card or cash. The discounts can vary wildly, so you need to check the Driver Web, References section, for the daily fuel discounts at the TA, and plan your fuel stops accordingly.

Oftentimes, even in a cargo van, it's worth burning a $2 Comdata transaction to save $10 or more on a 25 gallon fuel purchase.

**whitewolf** · 03-02-2010, 03:12 PM

Don't go

**guido4475** · 03-02-2010, 03:24 PM

I was at their orientation for an hour and a half and walked out. In that time, 4 things that the recruiter told me were the complete opposite of what they said, even after asking them about it at that time.That was enough for me.

**OntarioVanMan** · 03-02-2010, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by guido4475

I was at their orientation for an hour and a half and walked out. In that time, 4 things that the recruiter told me were the complete opposite of what they said, even after asking them about it at that time.That was enough for me.

did ya get bad vibes?

**guido4475** · 03-02-2010, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by OntarioVanMan

did ya get bad vibes?

How can I say this without getting banned...Let's just say I didn't get that warm fuzzy feeling..I'll leave it at that.

**jaminjim** · 03-02-2010, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by guido4475

How can I say this without getting banned...Let's just say I didn't get that warm fuzzy feeling..I'll leave it at that.

Why would you get banned for saying what caused you to leave orientation after one and a half hours? What could have been told that was so far off the mark?

**LDB** · 03-02-2010, 05:19 PM

I'm not admin so not only do I not have the final say I have no say at all. With that caveat, I'd think that wildly ranting with gratuitous vulgarity might get one banned for a few weeks. I'd think that listing specific facts in a rational and lucid manner would do the reverse.

Recruiters vs. orientation/office is a tough one. I've been fortunate to deal with good recruiters who were honest and although they definitely told it all from the positive/company side they told the truth. I also know there are some reqruiters who are ok with doing whatever it takes to fill seats.

One partial solution is LOTS of research ahead of time and reading back a LONG way in these forums. Just about all the answers are here in the forums somewhere waiting to be found.

**jaminjim** · 03-02-2010, 06:13 PM

It's kind of funny I hear of recruiters and how bad they lie and the company is nothing like the recruiter told me. But you never hear specifics. I just wonder if they heard what was said or what they wanted to hear. Could they figure that even thou the recruiter said that they won't do this or that, they figured they could mold the company to their plans.

**x06col** · 03-02-2010, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by jaminjim

It's kind of funny I hear of recruiters and how bad they lie and the company is nothing like the recruiter told me. But you never hear specifics. I just wonder if they heard what was said or what they wanted to hear. Could they figure that even thou the recruiter said that they won't do this or that, they figured they could mold the company to their plans.

Hey Jazbo, what do you call that? Selective hearing? Wishfull tink'in? Or just arrogance & ignorance? Ya gotta understand, many of these folks realy have not had their feet held to the fire, and any and all excuses worked. Now, the monkey is truly on THEIR back and they be supprised I spose.

**OntarioVanMan** · 03-02-2010, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by x06col

Hey Jazbo, what do you call that? Selective hearing? Wishfull tink'in? Or just arrogance & ignorance? Ya gotta understand, many of these folks realy have not had their feet held to the fire, and any and all excuses worked. Now, the monkey is truly on THEIR back and they be supprised I spose.

It is really weird...the recruiter gets to the end of a section..and says...any questions? Anyone not understand what I said.....ya get about a dozen bobbleheads going back and forth....they get outside for a smoke and it is like...what did he say? *LOL* MEN..they are so stubborn and sometimes stupid..myself incuded...

**davekc** · 03-02-2010, 09:24 PM

I think I will go with the advice Leo gave. Talk to the recruiter and then do some research on here to determine the accuracy of the information along with talking to some current and past drivers. Most would do that seeking employment, I fail to see why one wouldn't do it here. Most every carrier orientation is going to tell you "every load is a good load". And it can be if you aren't the one running it.